With green waste comprising about one third of the domestic waste stream, the Federal Government is moving to ban green waste from landfill in some States by the year 2000. In response, the Town of Cambridge is the first Council in Western Australia and only the third nationally, to divert residential green waste from landfill using 240 litre mobile garbage bins.
Various studies have found this to be the best method for collecting and diverting the highest amount of green waste. The reason for this is mainly the convenience and frequency of collection. Residents can ‘wheel’ the bin around their yard while gardening and then simply wheel it out to the kerb for collection once fortnightly.
Cambridge has introduced an innovative new waste reduction scheme, that addresses not only the recycling of green waste, but also that of household recyclables and other incentive programs to reduce waste.
Residents have been issued with a new 120 litre wheelie bin for rubbish, half the size of their old rubbish bin. The old 240 litre rubbish bin is now a ‘green waste only’ bin. Bin stickers and information packs assisted residents’ understanding of the new system. The green waste bins are emptied by Cleanaway once a fortnight for mulching.
For household recyclables, residents are provided with three crates. One crate for paper items, one for glass bottles and jars, while the third is for plastics, milk and juice cartons, and aluminium and steel cans. The crates are emptied weekly, on rubbish collection day.
The Town of Cambridge has also appointed a promotions officer to run an extensive promotions and education program on the new system. With the total system in place, Cambridge aims to divert over 50% of waste from landfill, immediately meeting National Government targets.
For further information contact Richard Watson, telephone (09) 347 6068.
